COMMUNITY
WELLNESS
SCENE
Community and civic groups and marching bands can sign up for the DeKalb NAACP’s annual King Day parade on Jan. 20. 2
Georgia has one of the highest rates of food insecurity in the nation, and food banks need donations. 6
A new monthlong celebration at DeKalb Public Library branches, the Heritage Festival, replaces the Kwanzaa Festival. 8
Parade fit for a King
Fighting hunger year-round
Celebration of heritage
EAST ATLANTA • DECATUR • STONE MOUNTAIN • LITHONIA • AVONDALE ESTATES • CLARKSTON • ELLENWOOD • PINE LAKE • REDAN • SCOTTDALE • TUCKER
Copyright © 2013 CrossRoadsNews, Inc.
December 7, 2013
Volume 19, Number 32
www.crossroadsnews.com
‘This is the moment of our deepest sorrow’ By Ken Watts
Nelson Mandela, who made the long journey from an apartheid prison to the presidency of South Africa, died Dec. 5. He was 95. Mandela, who had been ailing from a lung infection, died at home surrounded by his family. South African President Jacob Zuma said his nation lost its greatest son and his people, a father. “This is the moment of our deepest sorrow,” Zuma said. “We saw in him what we seek in ourselves, and in him we saw so much of ourselves.”
Former South African President Nelson Mandela, who fought apartheid and was imprisoned for 27 years, died on Dec. 5 at age 95. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993.
Nelson Mandela July 18, 1918 - Dec. 5, 2013 Mandela was imprisoned for 27 years on notorious Robben Island for fighting apartheid in his country, but he harbored no ill will toward his captors. He was elected president of South Africa in 1994 and served for five years. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993. Mourners from President Barack Obama to former Atlanta Mayor and U.N. Ambassador Andrew Young, the Rev. Joseph Lowery and 4th District U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson Please see MANDELA, page 3
Residents cautious about changing government No cookie-cutter form works for all, expert says By Ken Watts
DeKalb residents might not be 100 percent happy with their current form of government, but they are not ready to trade it in for the unknown. That was the sentiment from many of the 130 residents and association leaders who packed the Porter Sanford III Performing Arts Center on Dec. 2 for a conversation about the county’s CEO-led government. Summing up the feelings of the people at her table, Shirley Hill of Decatur said they are very familiar with the present form of government and lean toward keeping it. “But we have open minds and we want to know more about the commissioner/ manager system,” she said. The meeting was the second of three held by interim CEO Lee May to encourage conversation about the form of DeKalb County government. Forums also were held on Nov. 21 at Dunwoody High and on Dec. 3 at Rehoboth Baptist Church in Tucker. The meetings came in the wake of a special purpose grand jury recommendation to consider a change from the county’s CEOled government. The grand jurors said that “the current system with its over-reliance on county staff and departments who ultimately report to an elected official, provides too many opportunities for fraudulent influences and fosters a culture that is overly politicized and in which inappropriate business relationships are created.” May said it’s not his desire to convince the voters what is the most appropriate step, but he thinks there should be an open dialogue with the public about it. “North, south, east and west, everybody has an opinion on what the future of our county ought to be and I’m thankful for that,” May said. “I think that’s a healthy discussion for us to have.”
Ken Watts / CrossRoadsNews
DeKalb interim CEO Lee May speaks with residents attending a Dec. 2 forum on county government at Porter Sanford III Performing Arts Center.
After hearing a presentation from Dr. Kimberly Nelson, a University of North Carolina associate professor of public administration, the audience broke into small groups and reported their opinions to the large assembly. Kimberly Nelson Nelson told the group that there is no cookie-cutter form of government that works for all. She said 104 of Georgia’s 159 counties have the commissioner/manager system, 46
have a sole commissioner, and seven have consolidated city and county governments. DeKalb is the only Georgia county with a CEO. “Every study says a commission form of government doesn’t work, but Portland, Ore., makes it work very well,” Nelson said. “The commission form was the original form of county government and, across the country, is still the most common.” After a vigorous debate in the small groups, many residents seemed reluctant to scrap the CEO system. Jernine Trott, president of the Moore Creek Homeowners Association in Conley,
said county residents need to do a careful comparison between the commissioner/ manager form of government and the CEO form. “We believe that the CEO form can be tweaked to meet the needs of the citizens without undermining the stability we have now and taking a chance on something else being a more attractive system for DeKalb,” she said, Jarrard Jordan, who lives near Covington Highway and I-285 in Decatur, said his group also wanted to maintain the current Please see GOVERNANCE, page 5
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“We are … encouraging everyone to participate and/or attend our annual celebration of the legacy of Dr. King.”
DeKalb among 46 local entities seeking funding from SRTA DeKalb County government and several CIDs and cities are among 46 local governments and community improvement districts seeking $82.3 million in Transportation Infrastructure Improvement Funding from the State Road and Tollway Authority. The governments and CIDs have applied for funds to jump-start 60 new projects totaling $200 million, which SRTA says is the highest number of Georgia Transportation Infrastructure Bank applications and projects for consideration to date. Some CIDs and local government entities have applied for funding for more than one project. A total of $16 million in grant funding and $9.3 million in loan funding is available. DeKalb; the cities of Dunwoody and Doraville; and the Evermore, Tucker, Stone Mountain and Perimeter CIDs are seeking $9.5 million in grants and $600,000 in loans
to help fund 13 projects totaling $34.1 million. The Evermore CID is seeking $1.7 million in grants and $600,000 in loans to help fund three projects totaling $18.4 million to complete phases 2, 3 and 4 of its north side collector. The Tucker CID is seeking $1.1 million to help fund $1.4 million for interchange landscaping at I-285 and LaVista Road and to make corridor improvements at Lawrenceville Highway (State Route 8/U.S. 29). The Stone Mountain CID is seeking grants of $327,600 to help pay for three projects totaling $566,600 that will make interchange curb improvements to enhance mobility; install striping and reflective RPMs on Mountain Industrial Boulevard; and create a new median opening, left turn lane and bulb-out to improve freight movement. The Perimeter CID is seeking $1.5 million to fund its $2.2 million interchange improve-
ments at Abernathy Road at Ga. 400. The city of Dunwoody is seeking $980,000 to help fund its $3 million project to make intersection improvements at Tilly Mill and North Peachtree. Doraville is seeking $582,000 for its $3.2 million new Peachtree Road project. DeKalb County is seeking $3.3 million toward the funding of $7.9 million in pedestrian improvements on Glenwood Road and to install landscaping and Gateway improvements at the Mountain Industrial Boulevard and U.S. 78 interchange. The Georgia Transportation Infrastructure Bank is a revolving infrastructure investment fund established in 2008 by the General Assembly and administered by SRTA. Since its inception, it has awarded about $20 million in grants and loans to CIDs and local governments for projects totaling more than $100 million in value. Christopher Tomlinson, SRTA executive
director, said that in its short history, GTIB has successfully jump-started dozens of transportation projects and enhanced communities throughout the state. “The large number of applications we received expands the reach of the GTIB program, giving more Georgia municipalities and community improvement districts the opportunity to participate in and see the benefits of this unique transportation funding option,” he said. GTIB funds projects based on transportation/engineering merit; economic merit; local, state and federal matching funds; and other project specifics. Final loan and grant approval is made by the SRTA board. Adrian Carver, a SRTA representative, said the applications are being reviewed and that with the large number of applicants, it will take some time. “We really don’t know when a decision will be made,” Carver said.
DeKalb NAACP seeks participants, sponsors for King Day Parade Groups wanting to celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in the DeKalb NAACP’s 12th annual parade and rally have to register by Dec. 19. The NAACP’s annual event, which honors the late civil rights activist who fought to end racial segregation and discrimination, takes place on Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Jan. 20. Sarah Copelin-Wood, chair of the Parade and Rally Committee, says it’s a great opportunity to celebrate the ideals of a leader in the 1960s civil rights movement. “We are soliciting and encouraging everyone to participate and/or attend our annual celebration of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,” she said. Participation in the King Day parade is open to community, civic, church, fraternal, school and college groups; alumni; and homeowners associations, among others. King was born in Atlanta on Jan. 15, 1929. He was assassinated on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tenn., where he was to participating in a march of sanitation workers seeking better wages and working conditions. The national King Day holiday, first celebrated in 1986, is observed on the third Monday in January. Volunteers and sponsors are also encouraged to join the 2014 celebration. The parade kicks off on Jan. 20 at 10:30 a.m. from the parking lot of Green Pastures
Community, civic, church, fraternal, school and college groups; alumni; homeowners associations; and marching bands can sign up this month to march in the 2014 parade.
Curtis Parker / CrossRoadsNews
Christian Ministries Inc. at 5455 Flat Shoals Parkway in Decatur. Participants will march to Snapfinger Road/Highway 155, which was designated Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway in 2012,.The aparade culminates at MLK Jr. High School, the only Georgia school named for King.
Fines will be levied for false alarms Homeowners in unincorporated DeKalb County now face fines for false alarms from their home security systems. The new CryWolf alarm registration program took effect Dec. 1. Under the program, fines will be levied for the second false alarm and each one thereafter. The county hopes to reduce false alarms by as much as 70 percent in the first year of the program. Interim CEO Lee May says that under an agreement approved in April, Public Safety Corp. takes over alarm registrations, false alarm notifications, billing and collections for the county using its proprietary CryWolf software. Burke Brennan, the county’s press secretary, says registration is required only for those alarm systems in unincorporated DeKalb County. “Section 3-3 of the ordinance covers registration and specifies unincorporated DeKalb County only,” he said. The county says that over the past three years, DeKalb Police responded to more than 70,000 alarms annually, of which 89 percent were false.
It said that DeKalb Fire Rescue also responded to 7,000 alarm system calls annually and 75 percent of them were false. Under the ordinance, all alarm system companies are required to register alarms they install, and any business that provides alarm monitoring, servicing or installation also is required to be registered. “Alarm companies doing business in unincorporated DeKalb County are responsible for registering their customers with CryWolf,” the county said. “If a resident pays an alarm company for monitoring service, that alarm company is responsible for registering the alarm on the resident’s behalf.” In addition, the alarm companies will be responsible for the $5 registration fee for each of its residential customers. Alarm companies can register at www .crywolf.us/oss/dekalbcoga. On www.dekalbcountyga.gov, a link to the Police Department offers details of the program and helpful tips on reducing false alarms. For more information, call the Public Safety Corp. customer service desk at 1-877665-2988.
The rally begins immediately after the parade at the school at 3991 Snapfinger Road/ MLK Parkway in Lithonia. High school marching bands already signed up for the parade include the MLK Lions, the Stone Mountain Pirates, the Towers Titans, and the Ronald E. McNair
Mustangs. Copelin-Wood says that other marching bands are welcome to participate. For more information or to register or be a sponsor, contact Sarah Copelin-Wood at schoolsandcommunity@yahoo.com or 404-371-1490.
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT DeKalb County Continuum of Care for Homeless Programs The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Continuum of Care 2013 NOFA FUNDS GRANT APPLICATION PROCESS On December 9, 2013 the DeKalb County Continuum of Care (CoC) will begin distributing applications to agencies and other entities interested in applying for the 2013 Homeless Assistance Grant as announced in the November 22, 2013 HUD Notice of Funds Available (NOFA). CoC applications and general information may be obtained at the DeKalb County Community Development Department by calling (404) 286-3308 or by email bhcamp@dekalbcountyga.gov.
Application/Information Meeting Monday, December 9, 2013 • 10am – 12pm Decatur Library Auditorium 215 Sycamore Street • Decatur, GA 30030 This meeting is very important given the funding reductions and new requirements for the HUD homeless programs!
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Everett and Fullum were picked as finalists after a national search launched in August netted 110 applications.
Fire Rescue chief finalists to face firefighters, public at forums By Jennifer Ffrench Parker
Firefighters and residents will get to pepper the two finalists for DeKalb County Fire Rescue chief job at two separate forums on Dec. 9 and 10. Teresa Everett, the Gary, Ind., fire chief, and Darnell Fullum, Fulton County deputy fire chief, will face Fire Rescue personnel from 2 to 3:30 p.m. on Dec. 9 at Fire Rescue Tucker headquarters. On Dec. 10, the general public gets its turn from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Maloof Auditorium. Everett and Fullum were picked as finalists after a national search launched in August netted 110 applications. The county’s fire chief position was left
vacant with the retirement of Chief Eddie O’Brien on Nov. 1. Everett and Fullum were among seven applicants interviewed by a panel that included a mayor from a DeKalb city and a member of the Teresa Everett DeKalb Board of Commissioners. The panel referred the top candidates to interim CEO Lee May, who picked the two finalists. Everett, who has more than 15 years of fire and emergency services experience, has been Gary’s first female fire chief since 2012. She is no stranger to metro Atlanta. She was the city of College Park’s first female fire chief
between October 2010 and January 2012. Her fire and rescue career dates back to 1989 when she was director of firefighting training and administration with the Dade Fire Academy in Miami. Darnell Fullum In between, she held positions with the U.S. Food Service, the Dade County Public Schools, Broward County Transit, YWCA of Greater Miami, Community Health of South Dade Inc., and her company, Everett Consulting Services. Everett has managed budgets of $12 million and a department with 235 personnel, but her time in Gary has been eventful. A
Sept. 13 Post Tribune report highlighted “a high level discord” between Everett and her Gary department’s rank and file over delayed promotions, aborted sick pay and confusion over sick leave. Fullum, who has more than 26 years of experience, has spent his entire career with the Fulton Fire Department, which he joined in 1987 after a three-year stint in the Army. He has been the department’s deputy chief since June 2008. According to his resume, he’s experienced in developing and administering budgets in excess of $32.5 million and has worked in a department with 450 personnel. Fire Rescue headquarters is at 1950 W. Exchange Place, and Maloof Auditorium is at 1300 Commerce Drive in Decatur.
Obama: ‘Madiba transformed South Africa – and moved all of us’ MANDELA,
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remembered Mandela as a humble leader who inspired the world. Young, who knew Mandela well, called him a “great lovable human being.” “He had a feeling that no problem couldn’t be solved and that violence was not the answer,” Young said. “He overcame all the hatred and the fear simply by being loving and forgiving, even to the people who persecuted him.” Lowery, who chaired the committee that welcomed Mandela to Atlanta in 1990, called him “a great statesman of our time” and a man who represented the essence of African manhood. “I will never forget the day he came out of prison with his head held high,” Lowery said. Obama said that we lost one of the most influential, courageous and profoundly good human beings that any of us will share time
with on this Earth. “He no longer belongs to us,” he said. “He belongs to the ages.” The president said that through his fierce dignity and unbending will to sacrifice his own freedom for the freedom of others, “Madiba transformed South Africa – and moved all of us.” “His journey from a prisoner to a president embodied the promise that human beings – and countries – can change for the better,” he said. Fulton County Commission Chairman John Eaves said Mandela’s place in history is secured by the dignity, grace and strength of character he displayed in the face of tyranny. “We are blessed to have had Nelson Mandela among us for the many years of life he was granted,” he said. Bishop Eddie Long of New Birth Missionary Baptist in Lithonia said that Mandela changed the course of history by overcoming
Associate Juvenile Court judges elevated DeKalb Juvenile Court Associate Judges Linda Bratton Haynes and Vincent C. Crawford have been appointed full judges effective Jan. 1. DeKalb Superior Court Chief Judge Gregory Adams said the new judgeships were created and filled after an extensive review and selection process. “I am proud of these appointments and truly believe that the citizens of DeKalb will be proud of the work that both of these
judges will be doing in the coming years,” Adams said in the Dec. 4 announcement. The four-year appointments were approved unanimously on Nov. 3 by all the Superior Court judges of the Stone Mountain Judicial Circuit. Haynes holds a Juris Doctorate from Georgia State University and has been at Juvenile Court since 2002. Crawford has a Juris Doctorate from Mercer University and has been at the court since 2006.
the struggles of hatred and apartheid. “He inspired us, challenged us, and showed us how to fight for equality and freedom, for all mankind, without violence,” Long said. Mandela was born on July 18, 1918. He was a boxer-turned-lawyer and became an early opponent of apartheid, the system of segregation that oppressed black Africans. He was arrested in 1962, convicted of sabotage and conspiracy to overthrow the government, and sentenced to life imprisonment. Mandela was freed in 1990 after an international “Free Mandela” campaign. On his release from prison, he worked with President F.W. de Klerk for a peaceful dismantling of apartheid and was elected South Africa’s first black president in 1994, serving until 1999. The racial bloodbath that some predicted
would come with the end of apartheid never materialized. Mandela made two trips to Atlanta, in 1990 and 1993. His second visit, in July 1993, included public appearances at the King Center, at Cascade United Methodist Church in southwest Atlanta, and at Clark Atlanta University, where he received an honorary degree. Congressman Johnson said peaceful change will be Mandela’s legacy. “What impressed me most about Nelson Mandela was his humble spirit of forgiveness and love toward those who persecuted him,” he said. “Ultimately, he lived a life of triumph over evil and adversity, leaving the world a better place for his journey amongst us.” Zuma said Mandela will get a state funeral. He ordered his country’s flags flown at half-staff until Mandela’s funeral.
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“Corporate executives live off the labor of their employees. Without the employees, no work gets done.”
Preachers silent on health insurance for the poor By Dr. Kenneth L. Samuel
Notwithstanding the popular depiction of preachers who reside in sprawling mansions, drive classic cars and enjoy lavish lifestyles as seen on “Preachers of L.A.,” ministers of the Gospel are actually called to serve and to advocate for the poor. In his inaugural address at the synagogue in Nazareth, Jesus made it clear that his anointed mission was first and foremost to bring good news to the poor – a class of people who in Jesus’ day and in ours have been systemically relegated to socio-economic castes of deprivation. President Obama’s Affordable Health Care Act has highlighted the emergence of yet another class of deprived individuals – some 5 million poor Americans who will not get health insurance because they live in states like Georgia, which refused to accept expanded Medicaid under Obamacare. Because Georgia and 24 other states have refused expanded Medicaid, 5 million people have
“Because Georgia and 24 other states have refused expanded Medicaid, 5 million people have been relegated to the permanent class of the uninsured.” Dr. Kenneth L. Samuel
been relegated to the permanent class of the uninsured. The poor in these 25 states make too much money to qualify for Medicaid but not enough money to qualify for Obamacare subsidies in their state insurance exchanges. And where are the voices of the Gospel preachers who have been called to advocate for the poor in obedience to the mission of Christ? According to a recent CNN article (“The Obamacare Scandal You Haven’t Heard About”), they are, by and large, notably silent. In Georgia and throughout the Bible Belt, the biggest names in televangelism and megachurches have not raised a voice to speak on behalf of the 5 million poor people who have been systemically
deprived of health care by their state legislatures. In Cobb County, many conservative Christians will likely agree to a $300 million-plus tax increase to win the Atlanta Braves stadium. But not many conservative Christians in Cobb County would agree to pay an additional increment in their insurance premiums in order to provide health coverage to persons who have no health insurance and who cannot afford it. Much has been said about the calamitous roll-out of the Affordable Health Care Act. But as a minister of the Gospel, I see the widespread lack of America’s will to provide health insurance for those whom Jesus called “the least of these” as the greater national disgrace.
The deafening silence of preachers on this issue also makes this a religious disgrace. Among black clergy, the wedge issues of same-sex marriage and abortion have worked quite well to divide us and cause bitter dissension among us. But there are some preachers like myself (and perhaps Pope Francis?) who believe that the Red Letters of Jesus in the Bible are more important than any other doctrine or dogma. So in obedience to Christ, we make compassion for others and service to the poor our chief Christian aims. On this Sunday, I will ask the members of Victory to join me in sending letters to Gov. [Nathan] Deal informing him that in our view as a Christian church, his decision to refuse expanded Medicaid was immoral and un-Christlike. I pray that other clergy persons throughout Georgia will set doctrinal differences aside and stand for the poor with us. Dr. Kenneth L. Samuel is the senior pastor and organizer of Victory for the World Church in Stone Mountain.
Racial, gender disparity still exists in corporate America By Kevin Oliveira
America is a corporation – not a nation of laws or an ideal. Like the New Jack City generation says … it’s all about the money yo! Working in corporate America has taught me that quality people are not always appreciated, and more often than not, bad behavior by management is rewarded with promotions and bonuses camouflaged with propaganda and rahrah speeches about company goals, metrics, and balance sheets. I have watched over the years the constant management contradictions of speech and actions by people in “leadership positions” who proclaim they appreciate and value front-line labor when in fact, through their behavior, use and abuse their employees. In corporate America, I have seen the racial and gender disparity in promotions and in professional advancement, quality diverse men and women just simply overlooked so another white male or female can advance their career, quality men and women just “passed over” for advancement. Finding a token minority and put them in a marginal position is the best way to deflect and downplay unethical behavior. Let me share a few examples. A department has 55 people on the labor front line – 90 percent are ethnically diverse (people of color and mostly ethnic females). Four African-American men in the department have four-year college degrees, three have master’s degrees, and one has his Ph.D. in economics. A white male comes to the department to work. He is trained next to the diverse population and in six
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“What if the Republican Party really tried to work in harmony … with President Obama? What if the chambers of commerce became concerned about human needs?” Kevin Oliveira
months he is promoted to a lead supervisor position, and now the people who he worked with have to report to him. Then six months later he is put in charge of a department project. Six months later he is promoted to a project manager, making a substantial amount more money than the people with far more education and experience in the department. So what’s up with that? Another example: An AfricanAmerican man with a master’s degree in teaching from one of the top universities in the nation applies for a training facilitator in a department he helped form from the ground floor. He applied for the position and he was not even granted an interview, even though the person management gave the job to has only a bachelor’s degree. Of course, the person who got the job was a white female. What’s up with that? Another example: Another facilitator’s position opens up because someone retired. This time around, the African-American male candidate applied and was given an interview but was asked to draft a PowerPoint presentation from scratch without any guidelines for the interview presentation. The African-American male candidate interviewed and presented well. Two weeks later he was
told he was not selected but did a great job. When he asked what he could have done better, the hiring manager told him nothing … you were excellent! Then who got the job? You got it – a white female with far less education and experience in the position. What’s up with that? Are we going backward in this nation? Is the glass ceiling now steel? Do education and competence even matter anymore? I don’t throw the “race card” around freely. Too many people have paid with blood, sweat and tears for me to throw the race card around. But I got to call it when I see it. What happens when you see blatant negligence, recklessness, incompetence or flat-out racism? What do you do? My answer is expose it for what it is. Mitt Romney implied corporations are people too. Really? Thank God Romney did not get elected with Paul Ryan! Corporations are not people. Corporations are machines. People are people. People need to be respected for their diverse experiences, abilities and talents. Unfortunately, the good ol’ boy game is still being played in America. And just like Samuel L. Jackson’s character in “Django Unchained,” some house Negroes are still play-
ing their part to help oppress and subjugate the people in their own demographic category. The bad behavior is still being rewarded. The dirty deals are still being done on the golf courses of America. What if the Republican Party really tried to work in harmony and partnership with President Obama? What if the chambers of commerce became really concerned about human needs as well as profit and greed? Coca-Cola had to learn the hard way that strategically and systemically marginalizing African-Americans and diverse populations would be unprofitable and would tarnish its brand in the public marketplace. Corporate racism still exists. The Roman Empire crumbled and then crashed because of institutional and political corruption and collusion. The business elite and political insiders polluted the Roman society by not having any moral compass and exploited whoever they could, but it eventually all backfired on them. When will business leaders and political insiders realize that it all will fall because of the lack of ethics and human consideration for the working people being exploited? Corporate executives live off the labor of their employees. Without the employees, no work gets done. While the demographics have changed, white male privilege in corporate America is still holding on to the good old days. But I submit to the readers, study the rise and fall of the Roman Empire and ask yourself when enough is enough? Kevin Oliveira lives in McDonough.
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“The good thing about this exercise is that it gives us an opportunity to show how the incident command system works.”
Emergency drill readies Lithonia for the real thing Board accepts
$7.5M settlement from Heery
By Ken Watts
The room buzzed with energy and the sounds of police radios and loudspeakers on Dec. 5 when the city of Lithonia hosted its first emergency preparedness exercise. Lithonia Police and CSX Railroad cohosted the five-hour exercise in the Charles Johnson Fellowship Hall at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church on Highway 24. Several agencies, including police, fire and haz-mat leaders from around metro Atlanta, plus Georgia State Police and DeKalb Board of Health experts participated in the drill, which public safety officials are convinced could save lives in a real crisis. Lithonia Police Chief Eddie Moody said the hypothetical scenario revolves around a train that derailed near downtown Lithonia, leaking dangerous chemicals within sight of residential neighborhoods. Capt. Xavier Todd rushes over to Clarkston Chief Christine Hudson who’s helping Lithonia colleagues coordinate response. “The train had four locomotives, no fatalities, nine injured, two neighborhoods evacuated so far, cars number 56 to 70 out of 100 are derailed,” he tells her. “They were carrying alcohol, diesel fuel and turpentine.” Moody said they have seen several actual derailments across the country recently and the exercise is designed to prepare them. “We’ve just completed our written emer-
Officers from a number of jurisdictions joined the city of Lithonia for its Dec. 5 emergency drill.
gency operations plan and so we brought all these agencies together to simulate our response to a situation as serious as gas tankers leaking and that sort of thing,” he said. Moody says Lithonia is especially vulnerable to such a life-threatening scenario because of the high volume of freight traffic passing through town every day. The Digital Library of Georgia has a mid-1970s photo of a freight train that ran off a trestle over what is now Max Cleland Boulevard. The notes don’t mention injuries or whether the train was carrying hazardous cargo. But Moody and other public safety officials see the obvious potential for disaster.
“The good thing about this exercise is that it gives us an opportunity to show how the incident command system works,” he said. “We know from past incidents that we’ll need emergency responses from everybody and this drill shows us how to come together and communicate with each other so we can assess the damage that’s been done, save lives and take care of the citizens,” Moody added. “That’s what it’s all about.” The training session command center was set as it would be in an actual emergency. The city hopes to have another drill in 2014.
DeKalb School Board members voted on Dec. 2 to accept a $7.5 million settlement from Heery International, its former construction management firm, ending a long-running and very costly legal battle. The School Board fired Heery in 2007, complaining about cost overruns and delays in its school construction program. Heery sued the district for unpaid invoices. DeKalb countersued, alleging breach of contract and fraud. Superintendent Michael Thurmond negotiated with the firm out of court. The district spent about $18 million fighting the case. “It’s a great day for the district,” Thurmond said after the vote. “It’s time to turn the page and move on. We can recoup some of the money that has already been invested.” District 2 board member Marshall Orson, also an attorney, says the deal makes it possible for the district to move forward. “The superintendent took the lead in the negotiations and I think the board was in agreement with the superintendent that way too much time and too much money had been spent on this lawsuit, that we were not in the business of speculating with funds that should be used for the education of our children.”
Special purpose grand jurors criticized CEO-led form of government GOVERNANCE,
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system. “In view of the partisan nature of the board, if we go to a commissioner/manager form, the manager might have to answer to the largest voting bloc of commissioners whether it’s based on race, party or geography,” Jordan said. “The CEO elected countywide is accountable to all of DeKalb.” Charles Moss of the Chapel Lake subdivision said his small group favored keeping the CEO but with greater budgetary oversight by the commissioners. May favors a county-manager form of government with an elected commission and chairman but that he wants citizens to make up their own minds. After the meeting, he said participants had a lot of questions, including whether there are studies that say one form of gov-
The audience broke into small groups after a presentation on the forms of county government.
man system to CEO. The process stretched from 1980 to 1986 when Chairman Manuel Maloof was elected DeKalb’s first chief executive. Nelson, the UNC associate professor, said research on the performance of various forms of government is not foolproof. “If you look at the entire United States and thousands of local governments, on average the professionally managed ones perform better on a number of indicators,” she said. “But that doesn’t mean that the CEO system can’t perform just as well or even better for some communities.” May was thrilled with the large turnout at the Porter Sanford Center. He said the county is building a Web site to keep the Ken Watts / CrossRoadsNews public updated on governance talks. ernment is better than the other and how A change in government could take In the meantime, residents can send the transition occurs if a different form of several years as the county found out when email questions to progressdekalb@dekalb government were selected. it transitioned from a commissioner/chair- countyga.gov.
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Wellness
CrossRoadsNews
December 7, 2013
“We know there are families who every week make choices between food and medicine, food and utility bills, or food and rent.”
Fight germs with clean hands With all the handshaking and hugging that come with major year-end celebrations, public health officials are urging everyone to keep those hands clean for a healthier holiday season. All that contact can spread bacteria and viruses in addition to holiday cheer. There is a simple solution: Wash your hands frequently and Will Sawyer thoroughly. National Handwashing Awareness Week, which is observed through Dec. 7, is a great time to think about keeping your hands clean as an easy and important way to stay healthy, the Georgia Department of Public Health says. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, handwashing is one of the most effective ways to prevent illness and stop the spread of germs, such as those that cause the flu, bronchitis, tonsillitis, conjunctivitis, pneumonia or the common cold. Dr. Will Sawyer, a family physician and infection control specialist in Cincinnati, has been an advocate of proper hand hygiene for the past 20 years. He is also creator of Henry the Hand, the “Champion Handwasher” mascot who advocates for Sawyer’s four principles of hand awareness: Wash your hands when they
are dirty and before eating; do not cough into your hands; do not sneeze into your hands; and do not put your fingers in your eyes, nose or mouth, an area Sawyer has dubbed the “T zone.” Following these principles is a reliable way to protect the body during cold and flu season, Sawyer said. “Remember the only portals of entry into your body are your eyes, nose and mouth,” Sawyer says in a video on www. henrythehand.com. “Prevention is in your hands.” Hands also should be cleaned before, during and after food preparation; before and after caring for a sick person or treating a wound; after using the toilet or changing diapers; and after touching animals, animal waste, pet food and garbage. It’s not only important to wash your hands, but to do it the right way. The CDC offers these tips: n Use cold or warm running water and rub all surfaces of your hands with soap. n Keep it up for 20 seconds, or about the length of time it takes to hum the “Happy Birthday” song twice. Then rinse. n Dry your hands with a clean towel or air-dry them. Using soap and water is the best way to wash your hands, but if you can’t, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that is at least 60 percent alcohol.
In 2011, one in five Georgians dealt with hunger. Feeding America said more than 707,000 Georgia children, about 28.8 percent, were food insecure in 2011.
More Georgians go hungry all year Thousands of Georgians struggle with not having enough to eat throughout the year, not just on the holidays. Danah Craft, executive director of the Georgia Food Bank Association, said that while nonprofits are happy that people think about the disadvantaged during the holiday season when food is such a focus, hunger exists Danah Craft year-round. In 2011, one in five Georgians dealt with hunger, according to data from Feeding America, a national hunger-relief charity. Feeding America said more than 707,000 Georgia children, about 28.8 percent, were food insecure in 2011. The Georgia Department of Public Health says the state has one of the highest rates of food insecurity in the United States and outpaced the national average of 16.4 percent of food-insecure individuals. The United Nations called hunger “perhaps the most significant public health problem facing the world today.” People who are regularly hungry or eat poor quality food are at greater risk of some of public health’s biggest threats, including diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity. “Hunger and obesity are two sides of the same coin,” Craft said. “People who are food insecure buy the most calories they can get for their money. Those are usually the processed foods, which are high in fat and sugar.” Pregnant women who don’t have proper nutrition are at greater risk of preterm delivery and are more likely to have low birth weight babies, according to the World Health Organization. Those babies are more likely to suffer developmental delays and other physical problems, such as blindness. Children are among the most vulnerable. Without enough to eat, they can suffer from impaired cognitive development, weakened bones and immune systems, and poor school performance and attendance. The goal of the Georgia Department of
Public Health is to help low-income families be healthy and productive by accessing nutritious food. DPH administers the federal Women, Infants and Children program for Georgia, which offers vouchers used to buy healthy foods for kids 5 and younger, pregnant women and breastfeeding moms who qualify. It also provides nutrition counseling and breastfeeding support to its clients. Craft noted that many food-insecure families don’t qualify for WIC and other government food programs because their income is too high. In 2011, more than half the people who were food insecure were above 130 percent of the federal poverty level and ineligible for food assistance programs. “We know there are families who every week make choices between food and medicine, food and utility bills, or food and rent,” Craft said. “And it can happen to any one of us when someone loses a job or is working a minimum-wage job.” Many of these Georgia families turn to their local food banks for help. The Georgia Food Bank Association operates seven regional food banks across the state that are part of the Feeding America network, including the Atlanta Community Food Bank. Working through more than 2,300 partner agencies and pantries, they distribute more than 103 million pounds of food annually to 159 counties in Georgia. The Atlanta Community Food Bank serves metro Atlanta and North Georgia, and 16.7 percent of the people living in its service area and 20 percent of all Georgians are food insecure, meaning that they don’t always know where they will find their next meal. The need for food assistance has grown significantly. Over the past three years, the number of Georgia households receiving food stamps has increased by 62 percent. Craft said anyone wishing to help fight hunger can donate food, funds or their time to their local food bank. “We all can play a role in fighting hunger and helping our neighbors who need help.” For more information, visit http://georgia foodbankassociation.org.
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CrossRoadsNews
Holiday
December 7, 2013
The America’s Soul Food Museum includes 400 years of artifacts representing African-American contributions to the culinary arts.
Local talent at Comedic Laughs for Adults event Local stand-up comedians Vivian Alford and Alyssa BarnettSchott will make their comedic debut at the Decatur Library on Dec. 14 as part of the Diversity in DeKalb series. Vivian Alford Comedic Laughs for Adults! for patrons 18 and over begins at 1 p.m. Alford has performed at the Punchline, Funny Farm and Relapse Theatre and in Alabama venues. Barnett-Schott has been A. Barnett-Schott entertaining audiences in comedy clubs all over the Southeast for more than 15 years. The Decatur Library is at 215 Sycamore St. in downtown Decatur. For more information, call 404-370-3070.
DeKalb Commissioner Stan Watson (left) is shown with the recipients of the inaugural William C. Brown Community Heritage Awards on Dec. 2.
Heritage Festival kicks off at Wesley Chapel Library The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, a New York actress and a Soul Food Museum presentation are some of the special events under way through Dec. 23 at DeKalb Library branches for its first Heritage Festival. It kicked off Dec. 2 at the Wesley ChapelWilliam C. Brown Library with the presentation of awards recognizing the outstanding service of library volunteers and staff. The Heritage Festival replaces the annual Kwanzaa Festival that for years taught library patrons how to celebrate the AfricanAmerican cultural holiday. Retired library branch manager Doris Wells, who helped coordinate the Heritage Festival, said 31 programs are taking place at library branches throughout the system. Monday’s kickoff included music by PR Experience Jazz Ensemble; screening of a video on the life and legacy of the late William C. Brown, a DeKalb commissioner and chairman of the library trustee board; and the presentation of the inaugural William C. Brown Community Heritage Awards to five individuals and two organizations. Deborah Bolden, a longtime volunteer, received the Friend of the Year Award. Volunteer Charles Atkinson was recognized for his work with the library’s Adult Book Club. Library employees Myguil Chappel, Tamika Strong and C. Joyce Farrar-Rosemon; the 100 Black Men of DeKalb; and the Decatur Graduate Chapter Kappa Alpha Alpha of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. also were recognized for their work with the library. Highlights of the fest include a Symphony in Your Neighborhood concert on Dec. 9 with the ASO and a Dec. 10 presentation by Barbara Cross, who was inside the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church on Sept. 15, 1963, when it was bombed by the Ku Klux Klan. The casual concert by the ASO takes place at 7 p.m. at the Wesley Chapel Library. The musicians will interact with the audience after their performance. Cross’ four Sunday school friends were killed in the Birmingham church blast. She will speak at 6:30 p.m. at Wesley Chapel. On Dec. 14, there will be a Community Awareness Day with a Soul Food Museum exhibit, vendors, an information fair and
New York actress Christine Dixon will perform part of her awardwinning onewoman show about abolitionist Harriet Tubman on Dec. 14 at the Wesley Chapel Library.
Curtis Parker / CrossRoadsNews
breakout sessions from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. New York actress Christine Dixon also will perform a portion of her award-winning one-woman show about the life and times of Harriet Tubman. The America’s Soul Food Museum includes 400 years of artifacts representing African-American contributions to the culinary arts. Its founder, Dr. Kenneth Willhoite, will discuss brain foods and 11 healthy foods in the new soul food diet. For the complete schedule of Heritage Festival events, visit www.dekalblibrary.org. The Wesley Chapel-William C. Brown Library is at 2681 Wesley Chapel Road. For more information, call 404-286-6980.
Holiday voices at Decatur Library The community chamber chorus Just Voices will perform holiday music on Dec. 10 at the Decatur Library. The one-hour concert featuring madrigals, motets, chorales, spirituals, classical art songs, shape-note hymns and vocal jazz kicks off at 7 p.m. The Decatur Library is at 215 Sycamore St. in downtown Decatur. For more information, call 404-370-3070.
‘Man of Steel’ to be screened at library
visitdecaturgeorgia.com visitdecaturgeorgia.com Decatur-crossroads-dec7-2013-spot-coral.indd 1
Enjoy holiday deals on Terrific Thursdays at Boogaloos, Sawicki’s and Salon Red Kids – just a few of the 40 participating hot spots around the city of Decatur. Get the inside scoop at our friendly Visitors Center at 113 Clairemont Ave. 12/3/13 11:42 AM
Fans of Superman can see the “Man of Steel” in action on Dec. 14 at the Stone Mountain-Sue Kellogg Library. The 2013 movie, which is rated PG-13, will be screened at 2 p.m. Henry Cavill stars as Clark Kent/ Kal-El, who learns as a young boy that he has extraordinary powers and is not of Earth. He is forced to confront his secret extraterrestrial heritage when Earth is invaded by members of his race. The star-studded cast includes Amy Adams as Lois Lane, Russell Crowe as Jor-El, Diane Lane as Martha Kent, Kevin Costner as Jonathan Kent, Laurence Fishburne as Perry White, and Michael Shannon as General Zod. The library is at 952 Leon St. Call Superman (Henry Cavill) faces supervillains in “Man of 770-413-2020 for more information. Steel,” which will be screened on Dec. 14.
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CrossRoadsNews
December 7, 2013
Holiday
“The majority of these children are in foster care and they have no one. We are standing between them and a happy Christmas.”
Tree of Love seeking sponsors to buy gifts for 250 foster children By Jennifer Ffrench Parker
Holiday caroling at Callanwolde
A week before the annual culmination of Commissioner Larry Johnson’s Tree of Love campaign, half of the children who need gifts are still without sponsors. Margaret Britton, who coordinates the annual Santa helpers campaign, said 250 of the 500 children on this year’s gift list still need people to buy them gifts, ranging from clothes to toys. “We are just looking for anybody with the holiday spirit,” she said. “The majority of these children are in foster care and they have no one. We are standing between them and a happy Christmas.” On Dec. 7, Britton will make another push to get sponsors for the rest of the children. She, volunteers and the Tree of Love, laden with gift tags bearing the name of each child and their wishes, will be at the Columbia Drive Walmart in Decatur from noon to 3 p.m. Britton said families and individuals can stop by and select one or more names from the tree and purchase the items for the children. Wrapped gifts are due back on Dec. 14 when the annual Tree of Love Christmas Program takes place at the Gallery at South DeKalb. The Tree of Love campaign, which is in its 15th year,
Families and friends can join members of the Atlanta Master Chorale and the students of Springdale Park’s Advanced Chorus for holiday caroling on Dec. 11 at the Callanwolde Fine Arts Center. The event, which starts at 5:30 p.m., is free to attend. The center is at 980 Briarcliff Road in Atlanta. For more information, call 404-872-5338. collects gifts for disadvantaged children. Johnson, who represents District 3, started it in 1999. Every year, the campaign depends on residents to select children’s names and purchase toys, clothes and other gifts for them. Johnson said Christmas is all about sharing and that the holiday season is a great time for people to give back to the community and help someone in need. Since its launch, the Tree of Love has benefited more than 7,000 children who are identified each year by the DeKalb Department of Family and Children Services. The Walmart is at Columbia and Memorial drives in Decatur. For more information and to sign up to perform at the Vivian Moore makes her selection from the Tree of Love at its Nov. 21 kickoff. Sponsors are still needed for 250 children. Tree of Love Christmas Program, call 404-964-4936.
‘Preacher’s Wife’ captures spirit of season Fans of Denzel Washington, Whitney Houston and Courtney B. Vance can see them in the delightful Christmas classic “The Preacher’s Wife” on Dec. 10 at the Wesley Chapel-William C. Brown Library in Decatur. The 1996 comedy/drama/fantasy film will be screened from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. It features the good-natured Rev. Henry Biggs (Vance), who finds that his marriage to choir mistress Julia (Houston) is flagging because of his constant absences caring for members of the deprived neighborhood they live in. His church is coming under threat from property developer Joe Hamilton (played by Gregory Hines). In desperation, Biggs prays to God for help – and help arrives in the form of an angel named Dudley (Washington). However, Dudley’s arrival seems to cause even more trouble. The movie, which runs for 123 minutes, is rated PG. It is a remake of 1947’s “The Bishop’s Wife,” which
Denzel Washington and Whitney Houston star in the Christmas classic.
Ebenezer Scrooge discovers the true meaning of Christmas.
‘A Christmas Carol’ at Stonecrest starred Cary Grant, Loretta Young and David Niven. The 1996 film’s soundtrack album featuring Houston’s powerful vocals is the best-selling gospel soundtrack album of all time. An estimated 6 million copies have been sold worldwide. The library is at 2861 Wesley Chapel Road. For more information, call 404-286-6980.
Disney’s “A Christmas Carol,” which retells Charles Dickens’ classic novel about a Victorian-era miser and his discovery of the real meaning of the holidays, will be screened on Dec. 14 at the Stonecrest Library in Lithonia. The 2009 film, which is rated PG, stars Jim Carrey, Gary Oldman, Bob Hoskins, Robin Wright and Colin Firth. It will be screened at 2 p.m. and is open to the first 165 participants. The library is at 3123 Klondike Road. For more information, call 770-482-3828.
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CrossRoadsNews
Finance
December 7, 2013
“Our challenge is to keep them coming back before the last weekend before Christmas.”
Bargain hunters push Black Friday weekend into record books By Jennifer Ffrench Parker and Ken Watts
Holiday shopping is off to great start with area retailers reporting huge crowds. Tene Gallemore, manager of the Gallery of South DeKalb in Decatur, said that when the Black Friday shopping weekend wrapped up on Sunday, mall traffic was up nearly 2 percent over 2012. “Gaming, men’s apparel and electronics reported small increases over last year and photos with Santa sales were up,” Gallemore said. “It will be a shorter shopping season but we remain hopeful.” At the Mall at Stonecrest, where shopping began in full swing on Thanksgiving Day, marketing manager Donald Bieler said the crowds ebbed and flowed overnight. By midday Friday, the mall was packed. “Our challenge is to keep them coming back before the last weekend before Christmas,” he said. Retailers lured shoppers to the stores with Thanksgiving sales that had many people eating earlier Thanksgiving meals so they could head out to the stores. Walmart stores unveiled specials at 6 and 8 p.m. Thanksgiving Day and lines were long. Macy’s, Best Buy, Kohls and Target also drew bargain hunters on Nov. 28 with 30
Deep cuts on flat-screen televisions and other deals lured shoppers to area Walmart stores. Nationally, 226 million shoppers spent $52.4 billion over the Black Friday weekend.
Ken Watts / CrossRoadsNews
percent to 60 percent off on electronics, bedding and clothes. Nationally, the National Retail Federation says 226 million shoppers, up from 212 million last year, spent a record $52.4 billion over the Black Friday weekend. On Nov. 29, Black Friday shoppers spent $11.4 billion. The federation said that the record spending was driven by consumers’ voracious appetites for great deals on Thanksgiving and Black Friday. Its survey conducted by BIGresearch found that traffic and spending were up both online and in stores. The average holiday shopper spent $398.62 over the weekend, up from $365.34 last year.
Online, spending averaged $150.53. The survey found 28.7 million people shopped online and at stores on Thanksgiving Day – up from 22.2 million last year. Matthew Shay, NRF president and CEO, said that the shopping frenzy was a promising sign for the economic recovery. “After an historic holiday weekend, retailers know the holiday season is far from over and will continue to look for ways to excite holiday shoppers and build on the momentum we’ve seen thus far,” he said. Locally, deep discounts on flat-screen TVs and RCA Tablets were some of the deals that attracted shoppers to area Walmart stores.
Fairington Walmart’s store manager Greg Clark said he was ready for the throngs and pleased with the turnout. “Even with the new stores that opened around me, we did well,” he said. Timothy Gates of Decatur scored a 32-inch Funai LED flat-screen TV at the Gresham Walmart on Thanksgiving night for $98, a fraction of the regular $384 price. “I got here at 3 p.m. to make sure I was near the beginning of the line when the sale started at 6 o’clock,” he said. Shawn Middle of Atlanta found a Pulse Electric scooter for her 5-year-old son for $69, more than 50 percent off the regular price of $140. To get the deal, she had to skip Thanksgiving dinner. “I’m hungry,” she said. “I postponed Thanksgiving dinner to come out and get this, but it was worth it.” Cliff Friend of Stone Mountain was smiling as he left the Gresham store with a shopping cart full of mattress covers and other bedding. “I got this at 60 percent off,” he said. Over at the Fairington Road Walmart, Mark Rush of Decatur bought two 50-inch flat-screen TV sets. “I saved $300 on each,” he said. “I got one for the family room and one for my bedroom.” Rush said he got to the store at 7 p.m.
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CrossRoadsNews
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6256 Hilldale Drive Apt 100 Lithonia, Ga 30058 (404)-552-2098 Gail C. Flake 11/23, 11/27, 12/7, 12/14
Legal Notices 11/16, 11/23, 11/27, 12/7
NOTICE OF PUBLICATION In the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia
Civil Action # ++13CV10352-7++ ShyRonda Johnson Plaintiff Vs. Michael Carter Defendant TO: Michael Carter 2167 Panola Rd Lithonia, Ga 30058 By Order of the Court service for service by publication dated October 29,2013 you are hereby notified that on October 23,2013 the above-named Plaintiff filed suit against you for: Complaint for Divorce You are required to file with the Clerk of Superior Court, and to serve upon the plaintiffís attorney whose name and address is 2200 Acelia Court Decatur, Ga 30034. Answer in writing within sixty (60) days of, October 29, 2013. Witness the Honorable Daniel M. Coursey, Jr. Judge of the DeKalb Superior Court. This the 29th day of October, 2013 11/09, 11/16, 11/23, 11/27
Notice of Petition to Change Name of Adult in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia
Civil Action Case Number: ++ 13CV10672-7++ Timothy Lee Moses filed a petition in the DeKalb County Superior Court on
November 4, 2013 to change the name from: Timothy Lee Moses to Tyrone Joshua Smith. Any interested party has the right to appear in this case and file objections within 30 days after the petition was filed. Dated: November 28, 2013 Tyrone Joshua Smith aka Timothy Lee Moses Petitioner, Pro se 4265 Rue St Germal Stone Mountain, Ga 30083 (404)-801-6061 Daniel M. Coursey 11/16, 11/23, 11/27, 12/7
Notice of Petition to Change Name of Adult in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia
Civil Action Case Number: ++ 13CV10889-7++ Emerson Howard filed a petition in the DeKalb County Superior Court on November 8, 2013 to change the name from: Emerson Howard to Emerson Howard Willingham. Any interested party has the right to appear in this case and file objections within 30 days after the petition was filed. Dated: October 31, 2013 Emerson Willingham Petitioner, Pro se 2060 Marco Drive Decatur, Ga 30032 Daniel M. Coursey 11/16, 11/23, 11/27, 12/7
Notice of Petition to Change Name of Adult
in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia
Civil Action Case Number: ++ 13CV10626-8++ Anna Regina Kelly Mons filed a petition in the DeKalb County Superior Court on October 21, 2013 to change the name from: Anna Regina Kelly Mons to AnnaRegina Hollywood Kelly- Mons. Any interested party has the right to appear in this case and file objections within 30 days after the petition was filed. Dated: October 21, 2013 AnnaRegina Hollywood Kelly- Mons Petitioner, Pro se 2333 Limehurst Dr. NE Atlanta, Ga 30319 (404)-438-9046 Linda W. Hunter 11/16, 11/23, 11/27, 12/7
Notice of Petition to Change Name of Adult in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia
Civil Action Case Number: ++ 13CV10455-2++ Willie Thomas Eberhart Jr. filed a petition in the DeKalb County Superior Court on October 22, 2013 to change the name from: Willie Henderson to Willie Thomas Eberhart Jr.. Any interested party has the right to appear in this case and file objections within 30 days after the petition was filed. Dated: October 22, 2013 Willie Thomas Eberhart Jr. Petitioner, Pro se
1833 Sangabriel Ave Decatur, Ga 30032 (404)-288-4215 Asha F. Jackson 11/16, 11/23, 11/27, 12/7
Notice of Petition to Change Name of Adult in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia
Civil Action Case Number: ++ 13CV10555-2++ Beverly Ann Beckwith filed a petition in the DeKalb County Superior Court on October 30, 2013 to change the name from: Beverly Ann Beckwith to Beverly Ann Hayes. Any interested party has the right to appear in this case and file objections within 30 days after the petition was filed. Dated: October 30, 2013 Beverly Ann Beckwith Petitioner, Pro se 2245 Leslie Brook Drive Decatur, Ga 30035 (404)-246-7478 Asha F. Jackson 11/16, 11/23, 11/27, 12/7
Notice of Petition to Change Name of Adult in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia
Civil Action Case Number: ++ 13CV9971-4++ Deandre K. Rush filed a petition in the DeKalb County Superior Court on September 17, 2013 to change the name from: Deandre Keshan Rush to Ishmarl Ghani. Any interested party has the right to appear in this case and file objections within 30 days after the petition was filed. Dated: September 19, 2013 Deandre Keshan Rush Petitioner, Pro se
NOTICE OF PUBLICATION In the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia
Civil Action # ++13CV8057-3++ Letitia Pope Plaintiff Vs. Douglas Pope Defendant TO: Douglas Pope By Order of the Court service for service by publication dated November 11, 2013 you are hereby notified that on July 29, 2013 the above-named Plaintiff filed suit against you for: Divorce You are required to file with the Clerk of Superior Court, and to serve upon the plaintiffís attorney whose name and address is Nancy Rhinehart 246 Sycamore St, Ste 120 Decatur, Ga 30030. Answer in writing within sixty (60) days of, November 13, 2013. Witness the Honorable Clarence Seeliger Judge of the DeKalb Superior Court. This the 14th day of November, 2013.
NOTICE OF PUBLICATION In the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia
Civil Action # ++13CV11714-7++ Richard McClendon Plaintiff Vs. Ilean Whitten Defendant TO: Ilean Whitten 554 Wynbrooke Pkwy Stone Mountain, Ga 30087 By Order of the Court service for service by publication dated November 20, 2013 you are hereby notified that on November 14, 2013 the above-named Plaintiff filed suit against you for: Divorce You are required to file with the Clerk of Superior Court, and to serve upon the
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12/7, 12/14, 12/21, 12/28
Notice of Petition to Change Name of Adult in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia
Civil Action Case Number: ++ 13CV11929-3++ Leatrice Simpson filed a petition in the DeKalb County Superior Court on November 19, 2013 to change the name from: Leatrice SImpson to Leatrice Gates. Any interested party has the right to appear in this case and file objections within 30 days after the petition was filed. Dated: November 19, 2013 Leatrice Gates Petitioner, Pro se 3691 Bouldercrest Rd #G Ellenwood, GA 30294 (404)-246-7478 12/7, 12/14, 12/21, 12/28
12/7, 12/14, 12/21, 12/28
One-order, one-invoice,
Adoption
plaintiffís attorney whose name and address is Richard McClendon 3294 Covington Dr. #A Decatur, Ga 30032. Answer in writing within sixty (60) days of, November 20, 2013. Witness the Honorable Daniel M. Coursey Judge of the DeKalb Superior Court. This the 20th day of November, 2013.
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Notice of Petition to Change Name of Adult in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia
Civil Action Case Number: ++ 13CV12187-9++ Gary L. Carithers filed a petition in the DeKalb County Superior Court on November 27, 2013 to change the name from: Gary L. Carithers to Ashley Shaelani Carithers. Any interested party has the right to appear in this case and file objections within 30 days after the petition was filed. Dated: November 12, 2013 Ashley Shaelani Carithers 3703 Lake Ridge Lane Dunwoody, Ga 30338 (404)839-6543
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Reader Notice As a service to you – our valued readers – we offer the following information: This newspaper will never knowingly accept any advertisement that is illegal or considered fraudulent. If you have questions or doubts about any ads on these pages, we advise that before responding or sending money ahead of time, you check with the Attorney General’s Consumer Fraud Line and/or the Better Business Bureau. They may have records or documented complaints that will serve to caution you about doing business with those advertisers. Also be advised that some phone numbers published in these ads may require an extra charge. In all cases of questionable value, such as promises or guaranteed income from work-at-home programs, money to loan, etc., if it sounds too good to be true – it may in fact be exactly that. This newspaper cannot be held responsible for any negative consequences that occur as a result of you doing business with any advertisers. Thank you.
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CrossRoadsNews
December 7, 2013
now through mon, dec. 9
the perfect gift sale the best gifts for everyone on your list including you!
25 5o oFF plus, tAKe An eXtrA %
%
1o%-2o% oFF
†
wIth Your mAcY’s cArd or pAss †exclusions apply; see pass
Free onlIne shIppIng everY dAY + eXtrA 1o%-2o% oFF!
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Select Sale & clearance apparel fOr HiM, Her & kiDS, plUS, fine & faSHiOn jeWelry Extra 15% Off all Sale & clearance WatcHeS, SUitS, cOatS, DreSSeS, iMpUlSe, intiMateS; Men’S SUit SeparateS & SpOrtcOatS anD Select SHOeS & HOMe iteMS Extra 10% Off all Sale & clearance electricS & electrOnicS Also excludes: Everyday Values (EDV), Doorbusters, Deals of the Day, furniture, mattresses, floor coverings, rugs, men’s store electronics, cosmetics/fragrances, athletic shoes for him, her & kids, gift cards, jewelry trunk shows, previous purchases, special orders, selected licensed depts., special purchases, services. Exclusions may differ at macys.com. Cannot be combined with any savings pass/coupon, extra discount or credit offer except opening a new Macy’s account. EXTRA SAVINGS % APPLIED TO REDUCED PRICES. tExt “cpn” to 62297 to gEt coupons, salEs alErts & morE! Max 3 msgs/wk. Msg & data rates may apply. By texting CPN from my mobile number, I agree to receive marketing text messages generated by an automated dialer from Macy’s to this number. I understand that consent is not required to make a purchase. Text STOP to 62297 to cancel. Text HELP to 62297 for help. Terms & conditions at macys.com/mobilehelp Privacy policy at macys.com/privacypolicy
VAlid 12/4-12/9/2013
perfect gift Sale priceS in effect 12/4-12/9/2013. MercHanDiSe Will Be On Sale at tHeSe & OtHer Sale priceS tHrOUgH 1/4/14, eXcept aS nOteD. OPEN A MACY’S ACCOUNT FOR EXTRA 20% SAVINGS THE FIRST 2 DAYS, UP TO $100, WITH MORE REWARDS TO COME. Macy’s credit card is available subject to credit approval; new account savings valid the day your account is opened and the next day; excludes services, selected licensed departments, gift cards, restaurants, gourmet food & wine. the new account savings are limited to a total of $100; application must qualify for immediate approval to receive extra savings; employees not eligible. N3110630F.indd 1
11/26/13 2:08 PM